Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

Hey Eric I hope your wife doesn't do like mine, for your sake.
    After seeing my razor after razor she started buying purses so she has  purses piled up on top of purses.
I was afraid it was going to be jewelry.
I've tried to explain I'm not collecting for collecting purposes but to try and then get rid of plenty eventually.

No photo today, just the facts.



Nimbus used, with dipping 2/3 of the knot and squeezing out the water with my thumb and finger.
Zingari Man unscented used
Tatara Nodachi head on Masamune handle
Tatara Platinum blade (7)

Even though I gave the knot a good squeeze or three, I still had some water run out of the brush during the first pass. Lather was good, very slick and creamy, but wetter than I usually make it. So I used painting strokes and "firmed up" the lather. 

The Nodachi cap and baseplate is barely okay for me. I'll most likely only use this set up only on rare occasions, as it is at the edge of too much aggression for me. Blade feel is fine, but something makes it feel more harsh than smooth. "Harsh" is probably too strong, maybe more aggressive? I got a good shave but earned 2 red spots that cold water healed up fast.

By his facial expression, I don't think Sgt. Friday thinks much of my shave this morning!

IMO there is a very noticeable difference between the Nodachi and Masamuni, even using them on the same handle (as I do too).  IME the Nodachi is gloriously efficient, but requires more concentration than the Masamuni, whereas the Masamuni can deliver a BBS shave, although perhaps with more work. As for Sgt. Friday, please note that he is sporting a five o’clock shadow, so AFAIC he’s got ugatz.

Sunday 2/18/24



First, I just noticed that at a glance, you might think I had the Fatboy set to 9. No way, I am not crazy! It was set at 4, but I neglected to make sure the razor was positioned to reflect the setting. 

Second, the details.
Rite Aid Personna PtCr (3)
Ethos Clean
Wald Nimbus again

Today I managed a great lather, only one squeeze of the knot after a dunk, and it loaded without making a mess! A great shave, very mild for Sunday rest!

Beautiful setup

Presidents Day. We used to have two birthdays, now on Monday holiday to sell cars. Progress, I guess. Now get off my lawn!



Sort of a Monday blues shave!
Henson Mild v2
Rite Aid Personna (4)
APSCo Titanium fan/DSCosmetic blue 
Stirling Sheep

A nice shave, with a couple of red spots in the mouth corners, but no irritation. A swipe with an alum stick fixed me up, and now all is nicely done. I have a Karve Bison in-bound, so this week will most likely be aluminum razor comparison week. The Bison is supposedly similar to the Overlander, but with rounded corners on the base plate, like the Henson. Could it be the best of both? I aim to find out!

Presidents Day. We used to have two birthdays, now on Monday holiday to sell cars. Progress, I guess. Now get off my lawn!



Sort of a Monday blues shave!
Henson Mild v2
Rite Aid Personna (4)
APSCo Titanium fan/DSCosmetic blue 
Stirling Sheep

A nice shave, with a couple of red spots in the mouth corners, but no irritation. A swipe with an alum stick fixed me up, and now all is nicely done. I have a Karve Bison in-bound, so this week will most likely be aluminum razor comparison week. The Bison is supposedly similar to the Overlander, but with rounded corners on the base plate, like the Henson. Could it be the best of both? I aim to find out!

I hear the Bison is milder than the OL. That had me second guessing it's worth, for me, but I'll be curious to see how it works for you. I didn't know about the corners ... that sounds like a winning addition. Chris definitely put some thought into it.

Yep, very few honest holidays these days... not that I wanted to celebrate Washington's 293rd birthday. We weren't that close friends. Besides, after 291 birthdays, there is no present that isn't a duplicate.

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

The (first?!) new razor of 2024 arrived Tuesday!






A Karve Bison from our very own BST!

Today was the second shave, using a German "Red" Personna Platinum Chrome blade, the Wald Calyx, and Stirling Sheep



After 2 shaves, I am believing this razor to be as good as the Overlander! I dig the rounded corners, and those lathers holes (holes, not slots!) are unique in my shaving travels. I can say with confidence that I like this razor enough to sell my Henson. (Next month, I will post it. Just in case I am shaving using a rose-colored mirror!)
I do plan to compare it more directly by using my aluminum Overlander this weekend. Right now, I think it equals my Overlander shaves. 

Did I need it? No. Did I want it? Yes. I have been a fan of Chris's various razors from about a year after he introduced the Christopher Bradley. Each new razor has improved my experience and enjoyment of the shaves. Would I buy the Bison in another metal? No. The stainless steel Overlander is my top dog. The aluminum Overlander is cool and I am happy to have picked colors that are to my liking. But it is superfluous and was a "because I can" purchase, which is what the Bison is also for me. Why all this verbiage? Because I want to be clear I am NOT saying you have to have this razor or your shaves will always be lacking! It is fun to enjoy the hype at times, but let's stay off that merry-go-round of chasing more stuff for fear of not getting the best we can get! What is cool with the Bison is that it's available in 5 or 6 colors and fairly inexpensive, compared to other artisan razors (except for the Henson, which it matches in price, I think). But it is twice the price of a new Merkur 34HD, which is a fine razor to start with, and no slouch either! 

Enjoy your shaves with what you have, that is my motto!

Congrats on the Joy I sense you have acquiring it and using it...........Dave runs to check the Karve site as he got the subliminal message from Eric that he MUST buy this razor.....

Congrats on the Joy I sense you have acquiring it and using it...........Dave runs to check the Karve site as he got the subliminal message from Eric that he MUST buy this razor.....